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Local: Halifax History - The Post-War Years

While the age of sail, and the grand age of shipbuilding was over, the sail-powered fishing schooner Bluenose was launched in Lunenburg in 1921. Though it fished on the Grand Banks and Scotian Shelf, it was better known for its successive racing victories. After the boat was retired, it sunk off Haiti during World War II. The Bluenose is immortalized on the back of the Canadian dime, and in 1963, the recreated Bluenose II was launched, and is now permanently berthed in Lunenburg as a tourist attraction.

During World War II, Halifax again boomed as a major convoy assembly point. It is now headquarters for the Canadian Armed Forces Maritime Command (navy), and now also has one of the largest container ports in North America. Nova Scotia's economy has begun to diversify since the end of World War II. The province now has major manufacturing facilities for Michelin Tire, Volvo, Crossley Carrastan Carpet, and Pratt & Whitney. While much of the Atlantic fishery is in decline, Nova Scotia is the country's largest exporter of lobsters.

In the 1960s and 1970s the harbourfront, now called the Historic Properties began restoration, and was supplemented by upscale hotels and office development. Architectural gems like Province House and the former Dominion Building, now housing the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, were restored creating a focal point for the shopping and nightlife along the charming and historical old portions of Halifax.

In 1996 Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and Halifax County amalgamated, forming the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and further improved efficiences for all levels of business and government through the Greater Halifax Partnership.

The recent discovery of natural gas of Sable Island, 250 kilometres south-east of the mainland, on the Scotia Shelf, has led to a boom in oil & gas exploration and development on the province's continental shelf.

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